Stabilisation of Objects

ABSTRACT

A stabilising arrangement to support an object ( 1 ) (such as a table) above four ground engaging means ( 5   c - 8   c ) (such as feet) includes an interconnection means ( 4 ) interconnecting at least three lever parts (e.g. four table legs ( 5 - 8 ) or beam portions ( 5   a - 8   a ) each connected to the interconnection means by a respective pivot ( 9 ) having a respective pivot axis ( 5   h - 8   h ). Each ground engaging means can be attached to or integral with one of the three lever parts where at least one of the ground engaging means is connected to the first lever part and at least one ground engaging means is connected to the third lever part. The first pivot axis and the third pivot axis are at an angle of up to thirty degrees from parallel to each other and within thirty degrees of perpendicular to the second pivot axis. The second lever part has first and second engaging regions, the first engaging region located on the opposite side of the second pivot axis to the second engaging region in plan view. The first lever part includes a first engaging region to engage with the second engaging region of the second lever part. The third lever part includes a second engaging region to engage with the first engaging region of the second lever part. Rotation of the first lever part drives a rotation of the second lever part which drives rotation of the third lever part in a substantially opposite direction to the first lever part to give a warp displacement of the four ground engaging means. The stabilising arrangement provides support of the object on uneven ground. A support mechanism having at least four legs for supporting an object, and a table that adapts to uneven surfaces, are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the stabilisation of objects, such asfreestanding furniture and appliances.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Many objects such as items of furniture (ie tables, chairs and benches)and white goods are supported at at least four points of contact withthe ground or floor (e.g. using ground engaging means such as legs, feetor wheels). These objects are used in a wide range of situations and inmany cases the surface on which the object is stood is uneven or not aperfectly flat plane. To prevent, for example, furniture from rocking onan uneven surface it is common for small tables or stools to use threelegs since three points are sufficient to define a linear plane andtherefore provide location of the object without rocking. However, thereare many reasons why three legs are undesirable on many objects,particularly those having a quadrilateral shape in plan view such assquare or rectangular topped tables where four legs are generallypreferred, located towards each corner, with more than four legsoccasionally being desired or even required for larger tables. The useof four or more legs of equal length, each rigidly attached to andsupporting a flat table top restricts the feet of the table to lie in aflat plane, so they are unable to all contact the ground simultaneouslywhen the surface is uneven. This causes the table to be unstable androck, which is most noticeable in four-legged tables with small tabletops.

There are numerous applications requiring a support mechanism that isuncomplicated and robust, but can have four or more legs which adapt touneven surfaces to provide stability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,362, a table is shown having four L-shaped legswith the vertical portion of each leg located towards the centre of thetable, two adjacent legs are fixed to each other and the table top. Theother pair of adjacent legs are fixed to each other and pivotallyconnected to the lower end of the vertical portion of the fixed pair oflegs such that relative rotation about the pivot provides adjustment ofthe four feet to uneven surfaces. The relative rotation is permitted orlocked by additional mechanisms. However, the relative rotation of thepairs of legs can provide a misaligned or unattractive look to the tableand user intervention is required to operate the additional lockingmechanisms.

Australian Patent Number 690688 shows a four-legged table having asingle central support column. Two members of L- or V-shape in plan vieweach include two adjacent legs and a vertically extending portion, iethree mutually perpendicular beams. Each member is pivoted to the tablestem or column support by a horizontal pin and a control link member ispivotally mounted on a central vertical pin in or formed at the column,the control link member being pivotally connected to both L- or V-shapedmembers such that they rotate in opposite directions to maintain contactwith the floor. The horizontal pin of each member and the control linkare connected to opposite ends of the vertically extending portion totransfer the rotation of a member into a horizontal motion suitable todrive or be driven by the control link. However, this requires themechanism to have significant height, limiting its application to useswhere a central stem or support column of at least similarly significantheight is provided. Also the L- or V-shaped members are not compatiblewith flat pack shipping.

French Publication Numbers 2 902 619 and 2 902 620 show mechanisms topermit vertical displacement of the four corner legs of a square orrectangular table. The arrangements disclosed maintain the angle of eachleg perpendicular to the table top (which is very good for aesthetics)even when the legs have displaced to contact a very uneven surface.However, the linkages used involve an excessive quantity of individuallinks and joints making them complex and either heavy or fragile.

Canadian Patent Application Number 2,216,869 shows a flexible base forrolling chairs and workstools. Each castor is mounted at the lower endof a T-shaped arm 14, the arm 14 being able to rotatably fixed to thebase about axis 24 (along the top bar of the T). Additional T-shapedbridge elements 26 are utilised which can pivot relative to the baseabout axis 34 (along the vertical bar of the T), the ends of the top barengaging the T-shaped arms 14 of adjacent castors. Thus the mechanismpermits vertical displacement of adjacent castors in opposing verticaldirections to maintain contact with uneven surfaces, thereby preventingrocking and providing stability. However, the arrangement is complexhaving a large number of parts and a large number of joints.

It is therefore a preferred object of the present invention to provide asupport mechanism having four or more legs that can adapt to unevensurfaces utilising an uncomplicated mechanism.

It is a preferred object of the present invention that the mechanismself adjust to the uneven surface without requiring operatorintervention.

It is an optional object of the present invention to provide a travelstop to limit excess articulation of the mechanism without requiringoperator intervention.

It is an optional object of the present invention that theinterconnecting portion of the mechanism, rather than any verticallyextending portions of the legs, is provided within a virtual orconceptual box having sides in plan view of significantly greater lengththan the height of the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this in view, according to one aspect of the present inventionthere is provided a stabilising arrangement to support an object abovefour ground engaging means, the arrangement including an interconnectionmeans interconnecting at least three lever parts including a first leverpart, a second lever part and a third lever part, each connected to theinterconnection means by a respective pivot having a respective pivotaxis,

each ground engaging means being attached to or integral with one ofsaid at least three lever parts where at least one ground engaging meansis connected to the first lever part and at least one ground engagingmeans is connected to the third lever part,

the first pivot axis and the third pivot axis being at an angle of up tothirty degrees of parallel to each other, and within thirty degrees ofperpendicular to the second pivot axis,

the second lever part including first and second engaging regions, thefirst engaging region being located on the opposite side of the secondpivot axis to the second engaging region in plan view,

the first lever part including a first engaging region, in use engagedwith the second engaging region of the second lever part, the thirdlever part including a second engaging region, in use engaged with thefirst engaging region of the second lever part,

such that rotation of the first lever part drives a rotation of thesecond lever part which drives rotation of the third lever part in asubstantially opposite direction to the first lever part to permit awarp displacement of the four ground engaging means,

the stabilising arrangement thereby providing support of the object onuneven ground.

The first and third pivot axes may be substantially parallel to eachother and substantially perpendicular to the second pivot axis.

To provide the mechanism within an envelope of minimal or constrainedvertical height (during shipping and/or in operation), all the pivotaxes may lie in a substantially horizontal plane and the engagingregions maybe located in that same horizontal plane, or offsetvertically from said horizontal plane by a minimal distance such as thedepth of a beam member of the mechanism. To that end, one or more ofsaid at least three lever parts may have the or each engaging region ata greater horizontal distance than vertical distance from the respectivepivot axis. So, for one or more of said at least three lever parts, thehorizontal spacing of the or each said engaging region from therespective pivot axis may be greater than the vertical spacing of the oreach said engaging region from the respective pivot axis.

The first lever part may include two ground engaging means and the thirdlever part may include two ground engaging means. In plan view, thefirst lever part may include a ground engaging means located on anopposite side of the first pivot axis to the first engaging region ofthe first lever part, and a ground engaging means located on the sameside of the first pivot axis as the first engaging region of the firstlever part; and also in plan view, the third lever part may include aground engaging means located on an opposite side of the third pivotaxis to the second engaging region of the third lever part, and a groundengaging means located on the same side of the third pivot axis as thesecond engaging region of the third lever part.

Alternatively or additionally, the stabilising arrangement may include afourth lever part connected to the interconnection means by a fourthpivot having a fourth pivot axis, the fourth pivot axis being withinthirty degrees of perpendicular to the first and third pivot axes,

the fourth lever part including first and second engaging regions, thefirst engaging region being located on the opposite side of the fourthpivot axis to the second engaging region in plan view,

the first lever part including a second engaging region located on theopposite side of the first pivot axis to the first engaging region inplan view,

the third lever part including a first engaging region located on theopposite side of the third pivot axis to the second engaging region inplan view,

the first engaging region of the fourth lever part in use being engagedwith the second engaging region of the first lever part, and the secondengaging region of the fourth lever part in use being engaged with thefirst engaging region of the third lever part.

Alternatively, the at least one ground engaging means connected to thefirst lever part may be a single ground engaging means, the at least oneground engaging means connected to the third lever part may be a singleground engaging means, and at least one ground engaging means may beconnected to the second lever part. In this case, the ground engagingmeans of the first lever part may be located on an opposite side of thefirst pivot axis to the first engaging region of the first lever part inplan view; and the ground engaging means of the third lever part may belocated on an opposite side of the third pivot axis to the secondengaging region of the third lever part in plan view. This ensures that,for the first lever part for example, any force on the first engagingregion of the first lever part reacts at least a portion of the moment(about the first pivot) axis produced by any force on the groundengaging means of the first lever part, so these two forces always actin substantially the same direction, such that while the object issupported via the ground engaging means, the engaging regions of thelever parts are continuously loaded. Therefore in use (ie while thestabilising arrangement is supporting the object) the loads in theengaging regions do not reverse or vary through zero, which providesgreater stability by reducing or eliminating free or uncontrolled motioneven when tolerances in the arrangement are poor or loose.

Additionally or alternatively, the first lever part may have a singleground engaging means, the third lever part may have a single groundengaging means and the second lever part may have two ground engagingmeans. Again, the engaging regions of the lever parts will becontinuously loaded in use.

Alternatively, the stabilising arrangement may further include a fourthlever part connected to the interconnection means by a fourth pivothaving a fourth pivot axis, the fourth pivot axis being within thirtydegrees of perpendicular to the first and third pivot axes,

the fourth lever part including first and second engaging regions, thefirst engaging region being located on the opposite side of the fourthpivot axis to the second engaging region in plan view,

the first lever part including a second engaging region located on theopposite side of the first pivot axis to the first engaging region inplan view,

the third lever part including a first engaging region located on theopposite side of the third pivot axis to the second engaging region inplan view,

the first engaging region of the fourth lever part in use being engagedwith the second engaging region of the first lever part,

the second engaging region of the fourth lever part in use being engagedwith the first engaging region of the third lever part,

the second and fourth lever parts may each include a respective singleground engaging means.

The respective ground engaging means of each lever part may be locatedon the same side of the respective pivot axis as the respective firstengaging region. Again the engaging regions of the lever parts will becontinuously loaded in use.

At least one of said ground engaging means may include a ground engagingportion having at least two ground engaging points.

The ground engaging portion may be articulated to the respective leverpart to enable distribution of load between at least two ground engagingpoints of the ground engaging portion.

Alternatively, the invention may provide a support mechanism forsupporting an object, the support mechanism including at least four legsand an interconnection means connecting the at least four legs. Each legmay have at least a beam portion having a first end and a second end.The at least four legs may be arranged around the interconnection meanssuch that the first end of the beam portion of each leg is adjacent thesecond end of the beam portion of an adjacent leg e.g. forming a polygonin plan view. Each leg may be pivotally connected to the interconnectionmeans by a joint located between the first and second ends of therespective beam portion. In use, the first end of the beam portion ofeach leg engages with the second end of the beam portion of the adjacentleg to transmit a support reaction force therebetween such that, whenthe beam portion of one leg is rotatably displaced causing the first endof that beam portion to move in an upwards direction and the second endof that beam portion to move in a downwards direction, the adjacent legsengaging respectively with the first and second ends of that beamportion are both caused to rotatably displace such that the first end ofthe beam of one adjacent leg moves in a downwards direction and thesecond end of the other adjacent leg moves in an upwards direction.

This mechanism is thereby able to conform to uneven surfaces. If onlyfour legs are provided the load on each leg is substantially unaffectedby the magnitude of warp of the uneven surface.

Each leg may further include an actuation portion [could be just“actuator”] extending from one end of the beam portion and may include aground engaging portion or ground engaging means towards a distal end ofthe actuation portion.

The beam portion of each leg may further include a protrusion extendingfrom the first end of the beam portion e.g. protruding laterally orlongitudinally, the protrusion engaging with the second end of the beamportion of the adjacent leg such that a support reaction force istransmitted therebetween.

The actuation portion of each leg may extend from the second end of thebeam portion, or alternatively the actuation portion of each leg mayextend from the first end of the beam portion.

The actuation portion of each leg may be substantially horizontal inuse. In this case, the beam portions of the legs will be close to theground giving a pedestal type table. Alternatively, the actuationportion of each leg may include a substantially vertical portion, forexample if used under a square table it could provide a typical leg ateach corner.

The interconnection means may be connected directly or indirectly to theobject to be supported. The interconnection means may include a baseportion to which the beam portions of the legs are pivotally connectedand/or may include a vertical stem or support member.

The interconnection means may be connected to a table top to providesupport therefore, i.e. the object being supported is a table top.

Alternatively, when the interconnection means are directly connected tothe object to be supported, the interconnection means may form part ofor be attached the object to be supported, for example where there arefour legs provided, there may be four corresponding tabs or protrusionsextending down from (or even moulded into) the underside of the object,the tabs being the interconnection means to which the beam portions areconnected. In this case, each tab may be aligned with the beam portionof a leg and form, for example, at least part of each side of aquadrilateral. If the object being supported is a table top, theactuation portions of each leg may include a respective substantiallyvertical portion.

A travel limit may be provided and this may be fixed in operationrelative to the interconnection means to provide a physical limit to therotation of each leg about its pivot axis to thereby limit anarticulation or warp displacement of the legs.

Alternatively, the invention may provide a table adaptable to unevensurfaces, the table including a table top and at least four legs, the atleast four legs being connected to the table top by an interconnectionmeans. Each of said at least four legs may include a substantiallyhorizontal beam portion, a ground engaging portion and an actuatingportion connecting the ground engaging portion to the beam portion. Thebeam portion of each leg includes a first end and a second end, thefirst end of each leg beam portion acting on the second end of theadjacent leg beam portion, each leg being connected to theinterconnection means at a respective pivot having a pivot axis locatedat a point between the first and second ends of the respective beamportion.

Each pivot axis may be located midway between the first and second endsof the respective beam portion. Each pivot axis may be substantiallyhorizontal in use, although the pivot axis may be inclined, such as upto 15 degrees, above or below horizontal (or even more althoughincreasing pivot axis inclination increases the relative motion betweenthe adjoining ends of adjacent leg beam portions).

Each leg may include a beam portion major axis between the first andsecond ends of the beam portion. The pivot axis of each leg maypreferably be substantially perpendicular to the beam portion major axisin use, although a deviation up to 15 degrees from perpendicular may beused (or even more, although increasing the deviation from perpendicularreduces the efficiency of the mechanism).

If the table includes four legs, the legs may be arranged such thattheir beam portions form a quadrilateral shape in plan view.

If the table includes six legs the legs may be arranged such that theirbeam portions form a hexagonal shape in plan view.

As four legs can conform to any uneven or warped surface, when the tableincludes four legs the interconnection means may include a substantiallyhorizontal base portion providing location of the pivot axis of eachleg. In that case, if the quadrilateral shape formed by the beamportions is a square or rectangle, the pivot axis of two opposite legsmay be aligned and the pivot axis of adjacent legs will be perpendicularthereto, such that the base portion effectively provides twoperpendicular, substantially horizontal axes. The base portion of theinterconnection means may be formed in the shape of a cross.Alternatively, the base portion of the interconnection means may besquare or rectangular in plan view.

The table may include a travel limit fixed in operation relative to theinterconnection means and providing a physical limit to the rotation ofeach leg about its pivot axis to thereby limit an articulation or warpdisplacement of the legs.

The interconnection means may include a substantially vertical stemportion which may connect to the table top or to a folding mechanism inthe case of a folding table top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first possible embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view under the base of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the base of the first embodiment of thepresent invention when the table is adjusted to uneven ground.

FIG. 4 is partial exploded view similar to FIG. 2, showing amodification to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the mechanism from FIG. 4 in a foldedposition.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second possible embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view under the base of the secondembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partial view of the base of the second embodiment of thepresent invention when the table is adjusted to uneven ground.

FIG. 9 is a simplified plan view of the mechanism from FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIGS. 10 to 14 are simplified plan views of adaptations to the mechanismof FIGS. 6 to 9.

FIG. 15 is a simplified plan view of another possible embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 is a simplified plan view of a further possible embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a modification to the embodiment of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 shows a yet further possible embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows a section through the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 21 is a partial view of the base showing a modification accordingto an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1 there is shown an object 1 being supportedon four ground engaging means or feet, 5 c, 6 c, 7 c, 8 c. The objectis, in this example, a table having a table top 2 supported by avertical member or stem 3. The lower end of the stem is attached to abase portion 4 to which four lever parts or table legs 5, 6, 7 and 8 areconnected. The stem and base portion thereby interconnect all of thelegs and the table top. FIG. 2 also shows the base portion and legs, butfrom the underside with the stem and table top omitted for clarity andwith one leg exploded away from the base.

Each table leg includes a beam portion 5 a, 6 a, 7 a or 8 a, in themiddle of which is a bolt 9 pivotally connecting the leg to the baseportion 4 such that each leg is able to rotate about its own pivot axis.The base portion 4 shown is made up of four members 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4d which in this case are substantially horizontal and are arranged in across-pattern since they provide location of the pivot axes of the fourlegs 5, 6, 7 and 8, the beam portions (5 a, 6 a, 7 a, 8 a) of which arethemselves arranged in a square layout. If the layout of the four legswas rectangular, the opposing members 4 a and 4 c would still be alignedbut would be a different length to the opposing members 4 b and 4 cwhich would still be aligned to each other.

One end of the beam portion (5 a, 6 a, 7 a or 8 a) of each table legadjoins an actuating portion (5 b, 6 b, 7 b, or 8 b respectively) of thetable leg, which extends from the end of the beam portion to the pointwhere the leg contacts the ground or other surface. A foot (5 c, 6 c, 7c or 8 c) is shown at the end of each leg. Each foot can be integralwith the leg, being as simple as a flat or preferably slightly convexsurface to contact the ground, or it can be a separately attached itemto allow the foot to be suited to the application (for example adifferent ground contacting material such as rubber or felt can bebonded to the leg or attached as a replaceable part). At the oppositeend of the beam portion (5 a, 6 a, 7 a or 8 a) is a protrusion or tab 5d, 6 d, 7 d or 8 d which rests on the top surface of the adjacent leg(6, 7, 8 or 5 respectively).

If the table is on a flat level surface, the beam portions (5 a, 6 a, 7a and 8 a) of the legs are substantially horizontal (or at least a linebetween the contact point to each adjacent leg is inclined at less than30 degrees on a flat level surface). The vertical support force actingupwards at the foot 5 c of leg 5 for example, creates a moment about thepivot axis of the leg, the pivot axis being along the major axis of bolt9 through the beam portion 5 a of that leg. This moment is substantiallyreacted by a couple formed (at either end of the beam portion 5 a) by anupwards force on the tab 5 d from the vertical force in the adjacent leg6 and by a downwards force acting on the leg 5 from the tab 8 d of theother adjacent leg 8. The vertical support force from the foot 5 c issubstantially reacted by a vertical force acting downwards from the bolt9 onto the centre of the beam portion 5 a of the leg 5. The angling ofthe actuating portion 5 b of the leg from the beam portion 5 a generatesan offset between the foot 5 c and the line of the major axis of thebeam portion 5 a providing a moment resulting in a torsion force in partof the beam portion 5 a between the actuating portion and the boltposition, the moment being reacted by forces from the bolt 9 and thebase portion member 4 a.

However, if the feet (5 c, 6 c, 7 c, 8 c) do not all lie in a commonlinear plane (ie if one foot is sitting on an obstacle such as a brickthat sits slightly proud of the pavement for example) then the legsinherently adjust or articulate to conform to the warped (non-linearplane or uneven) surface whilst still transferring loads as describedfor the flat level surface situation. For example, if foot 5 c wassitting above the plane described by the other three feet, the leg 5would rotate clockwise relative to the base portion 4 as seen in FIG. 3.This causes tab 5 d to push on leg 6 rotating it anticlockwise pushingfoot 6 c downwards and causes leg 5 to push tab 8 d upwards, rotatingleg 8 to push foot 8 c downwards. Similarly 6 d and leg 8 interact withleg 7 and tab 7 d to rotate leg 7 and push foot 7 c upwards. Theresultant displacement of the feet 5 c, 6 c, 7 c and 8 c relative to thebase portion 4 is that feet 5 c and 7 c are displaced upwards and feet 6c and 8 c are displaced downwards with respect to the base 4. Oppositefeet move in a common vertical direction. Adjacent feet move in oppositevertical directions.

The base 4 and therefore the table top 2 lie parallel to the linearplane which is the average through the four points of contact of thefeet with the ground. All feet are in contact with the ground. All feetare load bearing, carrying substantially the same load as the four feetof the same size and load of table sitting on the average linear plane

Although the stem portion or vertical member 3 and the table top 2 haveagain been omitted for clarity in FIG. 3, it should be noted that thevertical member and base portion may be one rigid piece, or separatepieces to allow flat packing for shipment, being rigidly connectedtogether on assembly.

FIG. 4 shows a modification to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, inwhich the protrusions or tabs have been relocated to the underside ofeach leg at the join between the beam portion and the actuating portionof the leg, contacting the underside of the free end of the beam portionof the adjacent leg. The operation of the mechanism is similar to theoperation of the mechanism from FIGS. 1 to 3 as described above, withthe forces and moments being similar. The use of an actuating portionextending from one end of the beam portion of each leg ensures that thedirection of each force and moment is fixed in operation and only movingthe actuating portion to the opposite end of each beam portion willreverse the direction of the couple forces (ie those at either end ofthe beam portion). The forces at either end of the beam portion 5 a forexample are of similar magnitude and direction to the previous example,but the actual surfaces used as contact points to transfer the forcesbetween the bodies are different. The upwards force on the free end ofthe beam portion 5 a is now applied to the underside of the beam by thetab 6 e which is fixed to the underside of the adjacent leg 6 and by adownwards force acting on the tab 5 e of the leg 5 from the free end ofthe beam portion 8 a of the other adjacent leg 8.

If the legs are not prevented from rotating approximately ninety degreesfrom the level position, then as the table is lifted off the ground, thelegs can rotate to a folded position as shown in FIG. 5. If the legs canbe locked in the folded position and the table top folded as is wellknown in the art, the table can be stored using a very low footprintarea on the floor.

It should be noted that both the tab positions 5 d, 6 d, 7 d, and 8 dfrom FIGS. 1 to 3 and the tab positions 5 e, 6 e, 7 e, and 8 e in FIGS.4 and 5 can be used together and the legs of the mechanism can stillrotate to a folded position.

Alternatively, an upper and lower tab can be provided at the free end ofeach beam portion forming a C-shaped yoke around the opposite end of thebeam portion of the adjacent leg. Although the sense of the couple oneach beam portion is fixed in operation, the additional unloaded tabscan be used to restrict the magnitude of rotational motion possible foreach leg to limit the articulation of the mechanism and prevent itfolding unintentionally (ie when lifting the table to move location).

Similarly, a further alternative is to use an upper and lower tab at theend of the beam portion adjoining the actuating portion of the leg, theupper and lower tabs forming a C-shaped yoke around the free end of thebeam portion of the adjacent leg.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show a similar table incorporating alternativearrangements of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the alternativearrangement in a view similar to that of FIG. 1 with equivalentcomponents being given like reference numerals.

The table 1 has a table top 2 supported by a stem or vertical member 3.The lower end of the vertical member 3 is attached to the horizontalbase portion 4, but the base portion now incorporates a top cover 4 ewhich largely hides the mechanism from above as seen in FIG. 6. FIG. 7shows the base portion and legs with one leg exploded away from the baseand with the stem and table top omitted for clarity.

The actuating portion (5 b, 6 b, 7 b and 8 b) of each leg extends fromthe opposite end of the beam portion (5 a, 6 a, 7 a, and 8 a) to that inFIGS. 1 to 5, so while the operation remains the same, the sense of thecouple (the substantially vertical forces at either end of the beammember) of each leg will be reversed.

Similarly the protrusion at the end of the beam portion is shown at theopposite end to the actuating portion as in FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIG. 7, theprotrusion 5 f at the end of the beam portion 5 a of leg 5 is neitherabove nor below the beam portion 5 a, but within its cross-section sothat it is concealed once assembled. The protrusion 5 f in this case isreceived within a blind hole within one end of the beam portion 8 a(being the end of the beam portion 8 a adjoining the actuating portion 8b). Although this blind hole is not visible in FIG. 7, the similarprotrusion 8 f is received within a similar blind hole 7 g. Theoperation of the legs is equivalent to that in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The base portion 4 is also modified from that in FIGS. 1 to 3, butfunctionally equivalent. A vertical wall (4 a, 4 b, 4 c or 4 d) ofmaterial is provided for each leg (5, 6, 7 or 8). This solid, hollow oropen box design can for example be fabricated or cast. Each bolt 9pivotally connecting the respective leg to the base is aligned to asimilar axis (perpendicular to the beam portion of the respective leg)as that in FIGS. 1 to 3. For example, the bolt 9 connecting leg 8 to thebase is received in the wall 4 d. The bolt can be threaded into the walland/or a nut or locknut used such as those shown at 10 for legs 6 and 7.Bearings or other wear plates 11 are attached to the wall 4 d to workagainst the inward facing surface of beam portion 8 a (or conversely canbe attached to the beam portion 8 a to work against the surface of thewall 4 d). The use of locknuts can allow for occasional maintenanceadjustment of the mechanism to compensate for wear over time with heavyusage, or for example in corrosive or particularly abrasiveenvironments.

The top cover 4 e extends over the top surface of the beam portion ofeach of the legs not only to provide a cleaner looking design, but alsoto provide an important travel limiting mechanism. FIG. 8 is a side viewof the lower portion of the table with the legs adjusted to maintaincontact with an uneven ground surface. As described in relation to FIG.3, this adjustment to conform to a warped surface is an inherent featureof the mechanism and as such happens automatically and immediatelywithout any adjustment action by a user. However, such negligible warpstiffness mechanisms can benefit from travel stops to preventunnecessarily large articulation or warp motions of the legs which canfor example allow the mechanism to undesirably have legs rotate out ofsequence or apply excessive bending loads to the protrusions inside theblind holes unless excessive vertical free play is provided in theholes. Limiting the travel of the mechanism in operation also preventsthe legs from falling towards a folded position when the table is liftedto move position, such as when café tables are rearranged to suit groupnumbers, shelter from the elements or enjoy the sun.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, to achieve this travel limit, the height ofthe lower face of the top cover 4 e can be chosen to limit the rotationof the leg 5 to a desired maximum deflection. At that desired maximumdeflection, the top surface of the beam portion 5 a of the leg contactsthe underside of the top cover 4 e as indicated at 12 providing aphysical travel limit or stop.

The top cover 4 e can be adjustable in height either to allow adjustmentof the magnitude of articulation motion permitted by the legs 5-8, or topermit large motions of the legs so they can move to a folded positionsimilar to that shown in FIG. 5. For example, the top cover 4 e can havea first lockable position at the base of the stem 3 to provide thetravel limit stop function discussed above. A second lockable positioncan be provided such that the top cover 4 e can be used to locate andhold the legs in the folded position. The top cover can be provided withthe freedom to slide above the second lockable position to facilitatemotion of the legs between the operating position and the foldedposition.

As the top cover 4 e functions as a travel stop to limit the warpdisplacement or articulation of the legs in operation, it can be anyshape to provide such a travel stop through physical interference andmay be located under the beam members instead of above them as shown inFIGS. 6 to 8.

The positions of the hidden protrusions and the blind holes in FIGS. 6to 8 can be swapped such that for example, the protrusion 8 f on leg 8can become a blind hole located in the end of beam portion 8 a of leg 8and the blind hole 7 g of the adjacent leg 7 can become a protrusionlocated at the end of the beam portion 7 a adjoining the actuatingportion 7 b.

It is not necessary to use obvious protrusions or tabs. One end of thebeam portion of each leg can transfer force and position to the secondend of the beam portion of the adjacent leg through any mechanism suchas for example the underside of the first end of one beam member restingon the top of the second end of the beam member of the adjacent leg.This can be as simple as each beam portion being angled slightly fromthe horizontal so that each first end rests on the second end of thebeam member of the adjacent leg. Each beam portion can preferably stillbe substantially horizontal in that case.

FIGS. 9 to 18 are schematic drawings of alternate arrangements of atleast a portion of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows the arrangementof FIGS. 1 to 8 in a schematic plan view, with rectangular blocks 20shown in dashed lines representing the tabs (5 d, 6 d, 7 d, 8 d and/or 5e, 6 e, 7 e, 8 e) from FIGS. 1 to 5 or the protrusions (5 f, 6 f, 7 f, 8f) and slots (5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g) from FIGS. 6 to 8. The rectangularblocks 20 can alternatively represent plates located in slots in bothadjacent legs (like biscuit or plate joiners used in woodwork, but withthe plates and slots sized and shaped to allow for angle changes betweenthe legs) to transfer force and position therebetween. The rectangularblocks 20 can therefore represent a variety of connections betweenadjacent legs. Those connections 20 generally represent the area orengaging region on each leg that may used in forming such connections.

The base portion 4 in FIG. 9 is of the construction used in FIGS. 6 to8, and locates the bolts 9 about which each leg pivots about itsrespective pivot axis 5 h, 6 h, 7 h or 8 h. Each leg can be consideredas a lever part, for example the lever part or leg 5 in FIGS. 1 to 9includes a beam portion 5 a and an actuating portion 5 b.

While the arrangement in FIG. 10 operates in a similar manner to that inthe preceding Figures, each leg or lever part 5, 6, 7 or 8 does nothowever have four simple straight pivoting beam portions which eachadjacent beam portion. At the end of the main beam portion (5 a, 6 a, 7a, or 8 a) nearest the actuating portion (5 b, 6 b, 7 b or 8 b) is ashort addition to the beam portion extending perpendicular to the mainbeam portion (5 i, 6 i, 7, or 8 i). This creates an L-shaped beamportion from which each actuating portion extends. Each lever part ispivoted to the base, but the bolts 9 providing the pivot axes (5 h, 6 h,7 h or 8 h) are not aligned as the connections (represented by thedashed blocks 20) between each lever part are not at the corners of thebase 4, but partially along the sides of the base. Ideally, there is anequal distance between the pivot axis and each connection on a leverpart, if the footprint of the arrangement is square. The offset betweenopposing bolt (pivot) axes in the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 allowsthe size of the base to be reduced by allowing more space between thelocknuts 10 and any centrally located fixing to the base (for example avertical bolt for a table stem).

The schematic arrangement in FIG. 11 is again very similar to thearrangements in FIGS. 1 to 9, but the lever parts or legs 5, 6, 7 and 8are straight (ie the beam portion and actuating portion of each leg arealigned). The base 4 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 utilisinga member to locate each pivot axis (5 h, 6 h, 7 h or 8 h), although thebox design from FIGS. 6 to 9 is interchangeable. The operation of thearrangement is similar to that of previous arrangements. Although thelever parts are simple straight parts, the feet at the distal ends ofthe lever parts are not then located on a line through diagonallyopposite corners of the base, so the base is not squarely aligned withthe footprint of the feet which may be aesthetically undesirable.

The schematic arrangement in FIG. 12 is again very similar to thearrangements in FIGS. 1 to 9, but the lever parts have a more complexshape. The beam portion (5 a, 6 a, 7 a or 8 a) of each lever part isnon-linear or boomerang-shaped in plan view which allows the connections20 (i.e. the protrusions or tabs or other connections between the leverparts) to be further apart from each other and nearer the groundengaging means to reduce the load and increase the travel at eachconnection thereby reducing the amount of undesirable free movement ofthe mechanism caused by a given tolerance at the connection.

In FIG. 13, the actuating portion of each leg has been omitted. Thisarrangement is not particularly suitable for use in a table base as themechanism would intrude on foot room or prevent a wide footprint.However, it can be used as a base under objects (such as white goods,coffee tables, work benches for example) where such foot room is notrequired or under a table top with legs extending downwards from thecorners of the mechanism. The connections 20 (i.e. the protrusions ortabs or other connections between the lever parts) are now at or veryclose to the ground engaging means, allowing the connections to be asspaced apart from each other as possible.

FIG. 14 the actuating portions of the legs have again been omitted, butthe angled sections of the beam portion of each leg are at larger anglessuch that foot room can be provided. This enables the arrangement fromFIG. 13 (where the connections 20 are at or very close to the groundengaging means) to be adapted for use under a table by providing footroom of a conventional amount as in the earlier Figures.

Alternatively, the long angled sections of each lever part 5, 6, 7 or 8could be viewed as actuating portions in which case the ends of theactuating portions engage with each other instead of the ends of thebeam portions.

The mechanisms shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 provide the same functionality ofa free-warp support for an object above four feet. That is, four groundengaging means are connected to an interconnection means or base 4 insuch a way that an object connected to the interconnection means can besupported above the four ground engaging means even when the ground isuneven and the ground engaging means do not lie in a common linearplane. However the mechanisms in FIGS. 15 and 16 utilise only threelever parts.

In FIG. 15, two of the lever parts 16 and 17 have a foot or other groundengaging means at one end and a connection (20) to the third lever part15 at the opposite end. This makes each lever part different, whereas inthe earlier figures, each lever part can be identical. However, theomission of the fourth lever part leaves one side of the base 4 open upto the stem 3, which can allow the bases to be stacked more closely thanthe earlier designs.

The operation of the mechanism in FIG. 15 is different to the earlierfigures although the functionality is the same. In FIG. 15, either endof the lever part 15 is an actuating portion including respective groundengaging means. The beam portion of the lever part 15 is connected tothe base such that it is free to rotate about pivot axis 15 h. Each ofthe lever parts 16 and 17 is connected to the base such that they arefree to rotate about their respective pivot axes 16 h and 17 h. Eachhave a connection 20 at one end and a ground engaging means at the otherend. Unlike the lever parts in the previous figures, there is not asecond connection between the pivot axis and the ground engaging end ofthe lever part (16 or 17). So for the lever parts 16 and 17, the forcein each connection means reacts the moment about the pivot axisgenerated by any support force at the ground engaging means. Thisensures that in use, the connections are always loaded in a commondirection, i.e. the load does not reverse, removing the risk of anunstable zone in which there is free play. Those forces in theconnection means 20 both act on the lever part 15 which provides theload distributing, free warp functionality, balancing the loads anddisplacements of its two ground engaging means and the respective groundengaging means of the lever parts 16 and 17. As with the mechanisms inthe other figures, the lever parts inherently adjust or articulate toconform to both linear plane surfaces and warped (non-linear plane oruneven) surfaces as required to transfer the loads and support theobject such as a table top connected via the interconnection means (thebase 4 and stem 3).

The mechanism in FIG. 16 operates differently to the earlier figuresincluding FIG. 15, but provides similar functionality. The lever parts26 and 27 are symmetrical, each having two ground engaging means, one ateither end. They are also each connected (towards the middle between thetwo ends) to the base 4, such that they can each rotate about arespective pivot axis 26 h or 27 h and on or in each lever part is aconnection 20, located between one of the end ground engaging means andthe pivot axis 26 h or 27 h. These two lever parts would provide supportof an object connected to the lever parts by the interconnection means(such as the base 4 and stem 3), but not prevent it from falling byrotation of the base 4 about the pivot axes 26 h and 27 h. The leverpart 25 is essentially a beam member with a connection at either end totransfer loads and displacements to the connections on the lever parts26 and 27. The lever part is connected to the base 4 by a bolt or otherfixing to allow rotation about the pivot axis 25 h. The lever part 25rotates about the axis 25 h when the lever parts 26 and 27 rotate inopposite directions, which permits free warp. However, the connection oflever part 25 to pivot axis 25 h locks or prevents rotation of the leverparts 26 and 27 in the same direction as each other. The connections 20can be loaded in reversing directions in this mechanism, so the singletab connection style shown in FIG. 1 cannot be used, although pairs of(upper and lower) tabs can be used, as can the other forms of connectionpreviously discussed.

The mechanism in FIG. 17 has a similar mode of operation to themechanism in FIG. 16. The addition of a fourth lever part 28 (connectedto the base by a pivot having pivot axis 28 h) can limit how closetogether the mechanisms can be stacked. However, the lever part 28 hasthe same function as lever part 25, the two acting in parallel, so theconnections 20 between the (supporting) lever parts 26 and 27 with feetand the (balancing) lever parts 25 and 28 can be single direction tabsdespite the loads reversing. If single direction tabs are used, the tabsof lever part 25 will react rotation of the base 4 and stem 3 in onedirection about the axes 26 h and 27 h, and the tabs of lever part 28will react a similar rotation in the opposite direction.

FIG. 18 is a simplified plan view of an embodiment of the invention thatis suited to using different manufacturing techniques and thinnermaterial than the previous embodiments. It can allow for example, theuse of stamped and folded steel plate. The mechanism has fundamentallythe same operation as the mechanism from FIGS. 6 to 14. For example, theconnections 20 between lever parts 5, 6 and 8 provide a couple on leverpart 5 to react the moment about the pivot axis 5 h due to a supportforce acting at the ground engaging means end of the actuating portion 5b. The connections 20 are not at the point where beam portions such as 5a and 6 a meet. Instead, at the opposite end of each beam portion (5 a,6 a, 7 a or 8 a) to the actuating portion (5 b, 6 b, 7 b or 8 b) is anadditional portion 5 j, 6 j, 7 j or 8 j extending parallel to theactuating portion (6 b, 7 b, 8 b or 5 b) of the adjacent lever part. Inthe schematic plan view of

FIG. 18, each actuating portion extends on a line through the corners ofthe base 4 so that the ends of the actuating portions extend in linewith the corners of a square object mounted to and in alignment with thebase for a pleasing aesthetic. As a result the effective locating pointof each connection 20 is offset from a line at a 45 degree angle to thebase, which provides an offset of the pivot axis (5 h, 6 h, 7 h or 8 h)from the centre of each side of the base as shown. Again to improve thevisual symmetry of the arrangement, a dummy piece of material canoptionally be attached to the actuating portions of the lever parts(such as shown in dashed lines at 5 k on actuating portion 5 b). Suchdummy pieces of material can be used for all lever parts and can beshaped to extend over the top of the connection 20 and the additionalportion 8 j of the adjoining lever part to provide a cover to preventdirt falling into the joint and to prevent items being trapped betweenthe actuating portions and the additional portions.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a modification to the mechanism of FIG.18. The actuating portions of the lever parts include a double bend justpast the end of the additional portion of the adjoining lever part sothat the ends of the actuating portions are in line with the corners ofthe base. This provides a substantially symmetrical appearance, removingthe need for a dummy piece of material and allowing the lever parts tobe pivoted in the centre of each side of the base.

A bolt or rivet 29 is shown to connect each actuating portion (5 b, 6 b,7 b or 8 b) with the additional portion (6 j, 7 j, 8 j or 5 j) of theadjoining lever part. This method of connection can provide sufficientlocation of the four lever parts relative to each other, that the bolts9 providing the pivotal connections of the lever parts (5, 6, 7 and 8)to the base 4 can be replaced with simple stubs or pins that provide apivot axis with no axial restriction, although bolts or rivets can stillbe used.

A tab at the end of each actuating portion is shown bent into a foot 5c, 6 c, 7 c or 8 c. Also in FIG. 19 the mechanism is shown articulated,i.e. the feet 5 c and 7 c are raised from a level position and the feet6 c and 8 c are lowered from a level position. While a top cover can beused as an articulation (or travel) limit for the mechanism as shown inFIG. 8, an alternative limiting mechanism can be used as shown in FIG.20.

FIG. 20 is a view from one corner of the mechanism (in line withactuating portion 5 b), with a section cut through the connection 20.When the mechanism is in a level position (i.e. where all four groundengaging means lie in a linear plane), the actuating portion of eachlever part is parallel to the additional portion 6 j of the adjacentlever part. When the mechanism is articulated (in the same direction asin FIG. 19) as shown, the lever parts rotate about their pivot axesthrough bolts or rivets 9, causing a change of angle of the actuatingportion 7 b of one lever part and the additional portion 6 j of theadjacent lever part until there is an interference between the two partswhich provides a limit stop. The rivet 29 of the connection 20 can addstability of the lever parts in this situation.

Although only four legs are shown in the figures, it can be desirable toprovide more legs in some applications, particularly larger tables, forexample circular tables over 1.5 metres in diameter.

The ground engaging means of a single foot at the end of an actuatingportion of a lever part can be substituted for a pivotally mounted beam(or ground engaging portion) having a foot (or ground engaging point) ateither end and a pivot in the middle. This form of ground engaging meansis shown in FIG. 21, in which example, it is beam 35 with feet 36 and37. The beam 35 is connected to the actuating portion 5 b of a leverpart by a bolt 38 or other rotating joint having a pivot axis. In use,the beam allows the load on the ground engaging means of a lever part tobe distributed over two points of contact with the ground (ie over twofeet), but the input to the lever part of the mechanism is effectively asingle point which is on a line between the two feet, at an averageheight of the two feet and supporting the total load on the two feet.The use of such ground engaging means can allow the number of feet to beincreased up to eight while still utilising the same mechanisms withfour lever parts shown in the earlier figures. All feet can remain incontact with any irregularly contoured surface up to the limit of traveland ground clearance of the mechanism. The use of such ground engagingmeans at the ends of the lever parts 5, 6, 7 and 8 in FIG. 13 couldallow that mechanism to be used for tables where foot room is required.

Alternatively, the mechanisms from the earlier figures can be adapted toany even number of legs greater than four. For example a six legmechanism can be provided, in which case the beam portions of the legsmay be arranged in a hexagonal layout. If all the feet do not lie in acommon linear plane, then with the relative motions of the legs beingdefined by the mechanism, not all feet may touch the ground. However,the feet of at least four legs will always be in contact with theground, with the additional legs providing supplementary support,similar to the well known use of five fixed legs on office chairs wheregenerally only three are in contact with an uneven surface at any onetime.

The beam portions of the legs are arranged in a polygon in plan view. InFIGS. 1-8 the beam portions form a square and for any four legged tablethey will form some form of quadrilateral. For example, for arectangular table, the foot of each leg can be located under the middleof each side of the table top rather than the actuating portionextending to the corners. The shape of the quadrilateral formed by thebeam portions can be distorted to suit the proportions of therectangular table top i.e. the beam portions of the mechanism can be inthe form of a rhombus.

The mechanism has been shown close to the ground. However, the baseportion 4 (to which the beam portions of the legs are rotatablyconnected) can be located at any height up to under the table top 2.Then the actuating portions of the legs need to incorporate asubstantially vertical portion extending down from the level of the baseportion to the ground (or a foot to engage the ground). The lateraldisplacement of each foot for a given warp displacement of the mechanismis determined by the height of the pivot axis (along bolt 9) of the legabove the ground vs the length in plan view from the foot to the pivotaxis of the leg. So the closer to ground the base portion is located,the less the lateral displacement of the foot, improving the ease ofoperation of the mechanism. Also the greater the length of thesubstantially vertical portion of the leg, the greater the angle changeof the leg and corresponding aesthetically negative effect, althoughthis can be countered by angling the substantially vertical portion ofthe leg further from vertical.

The base portion is shown as a cross-shaped structure in FIGS. 1 to 5and as a square structure in FIGS. 6 to 8. However, it can take any formproviding it locates the pivot axes of the legs as required by theoperation of the mechanism. As discussed above, the beam portions of thefour-legged versions of the mechanism can be arranged in anyquadrilateral shape with other polygons formed when using differentnumbers of legs.

Although the mechanism described above is applied primarily to tables,it can be applied to the support of other objects including trolleys,workbenches, chairs, fridges and washing machines.

1. A stabilising arrangement to support an object above four groundengaging means, the arrangement including an interconnection meansinterconnecting at least three lever parts including a first lever part,a second lever part and a third lever part, each connected to theinterconnection means by a respective pivot having a respective pivotaxis, each ground engaging means being attached to or integral with oneof said at least three lever parts where one of said four groundengaging means is connected to the first lever part, one other of saidfour ground engaging means is connected to the third lever part and atleast one other of said four ground engaging means is connected to thesecond lever part, the first pivot axis and the third pivot axis beingat an angle of up to thirty degrees of parallel to each other, andwithin thirty degrees of perpendicular to the second pivot axis, thesecond lever part including first and second engaging regions, the firstengaging region being located on the opposite side of the second pivotaxis to the second engaging region in plan view, the first lever partincluding a first engaging region, in use engaged with the secondengaging region of the second lever part, the third lever part includinga second engaging region, in use engaged with the first engaging regionof the second lever part, such that rotation of the first lever partdrives a rotation of the second lever part which drives rotation of thethird lever part in a substantially opposite direction to the firstlever part to permit a warp displacement of the four ground engagingmeans, the stabilising arrangement thereby providing support of theobject on uneven ground.
 2. A stabilising arrangement as claimed inclaim 1 wherein one or more of said at least three lever parts has theor each engaging region at a greater horizontal distance than verticaldistance from the respective pivot axis.
 3. A stabilising arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the second lever part has two said groundengaging means.
 4. A stabilising arrangement according to claim 1further including a fourth lever part connected to the interconnectionmeans by a fourth pivot having a fourth pivot axis, the fourth pivotaxis being within thirty degrees of perpendicular to the first and thirdpivot axes, the fourth lever part including first and second engagingregions, the first engaging region being located on the opposite side ofthe fourth pivot axis to the second engaging region in plan view, thefirst lever part including a second engaging region located on theopposite side of the first pivot axis to the first engaging region inplan view, the third lever part including a first engaging regionlocated on the opposite side of the third pivot axis to the secondengaging region in plan view, the first engaging region of the fourthlever part in use being engaged with the second engaging region of thefirst lever part, and the second engaging region of the fourth leverpart in use being engaged with the first engaging region of the thirdlever part, and wherein the second and fourth lever parts each include arespective said ground engaging means, and the respective groundengaging means of each lever part being located on the opposite side ofthe respective pivot axis to the respective first engaging region.
 5. Astabilising arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one ofsaid ground engaging means includes a ground engaging portion having atleast two ground engaging points.
 6. A stabilising arrangement asclaimed in claim 5 wherein the ground engaging portion is articulated tothe respective lever part to enable distribution of load between atleast two ground engaging points of the ground engaging portion.
 7. Asupport mechanism for supporting an object, the support mechanismincluding at least four legs and an interconnection means connecting theat least four legs, each leg having at least a beam portion having afirst end and a second end, the at least four legs being arranged aroundthe interconnection means such that the first end of the beam portion ofeach leg is adjacent the second end of the beam portion of an adjacentleg, each leg being pivotally connected to the interconnection means bya joint located between the first and second ends of the respective beamportion, the first end of the beam portion of each leg engages with thesecond end of the beam portion of the adjacent leg in use to transmit asupport reaction force therebetween such that, when the beam portion ofone leg is rotatably displaced causing the first end of that beamportion to move in an upwards direction and the second end of that beamportion to move in a downwards direction, the adjacent legs engagingrespectively with the first and second ends of that beam portion areboth caused to rotatably displace such that the first end of the beam ofone adjacent leg moves in a downwards direction and the second end ofthe other adjacent leg moves in an upwards direction.
 8. A supportmechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein each leg further includes anactuation portion extending from one end of the beam portion andincluding a ground engaging portion towards a distal end of theactuation portion.
 9. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 7 whereinthe beam portion of each leg further includes a protrusion extendingfrom the first end of the beam portion, the protrusion engaging with thesecond end of the beam portion of the adjacent leg such that a supportreaction force is transmitted therebetween.
 10. A support mechanism asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the actuation portion of each leg extendsfrom the second end of the beam portion.
 11. A support mechanism asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the actuation portion of each leg extendsfrom the first end of the beam portion.
 12. A support mechanism asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the actuation portion of each leg issubstantially horizontal in use.
 13. A support mechanism as claimed inclaim 8 wherein the actuation portion of each leg includes asubstantially vertical portion.
 14. A support mechanism as claimed inclaim 7 wherein the interconnection means is connected directly orindirectly to the object to be supported.
 15. A support mechanism asclaimed in claim 14 wherein the object is a table top.
 16. A supportmechanism as claimed in claim 7 further including a travel limit fixedin operation relative to the first part and providing a physical limitto the rotation of each leg about its pivot axis to thereby limit anarticulation or warp displacement of the legs.
 17. A table adaptable touneven surfaces, the table including a table top and at least four legs,the at least four legs being connected to the table top by aninterconnection means, each of said at least four legs including asubstantially horizontal beam portion, a ground engaging portion and anactuating portion connecting the ground engaging portion to the beamportion, the beam portion of each leg including a first end and a secondend, the first end of each leg beam portion acting on the second end ofthe adjacent leg beam portion, each leg being connected to theinterconnection means at a respective pivot having a pivot axis locatedat a point between the first and second ends of the respective beamportion.
 18. A table as claimed in claim 17 wherein each leg includes abeam portion major axis between the first and second ends of the beamportion, the pivot axis of each leg being substantially horizontal andperpendicular to the beam portion major axis.
 19. A table as claimed inclaim 17 including four legs arranged such that their beam portions forma quadrilateral shape in plan view.
 20. A table as claimed in claim 17including six legs arranged such that their beam portions form ahexagonal shape in plan view.
 21. A table as claimed in claim 19 whereinthe interconnection means includes a substantially horizontal baseportion providing location of the pivot axis of each leg and thequadrilateral shape formed by the beam portions of the legs is a squareor rectangle, the pivot axis of two opposite legs being aligned and thepivot axis of adjacent legs being perpendicular thereto, such that thebase portion effectively provides two perpendicular, substantiallyhorizontal axes.
 22. A table as claimed in claim 17 wherein the baseportion of the interconnection means is formed in the shape of a cross,square or rectangle in plan view.
 23. A table as claimed in claim 17further including a travel limit fixed in operation relative to theinterconnection means and providing a physical limit to the rotation ofeach leg about its pivot axis to thereby limit an articulation or warpdisplacement of the legs.
 24. A table as claimed in claim 17 wherein theinterconnection means includes a substantially vertical stem portion.25. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 10 wherein the actuationportion of each leg is substantially horizontal in use.
 26. A supportmechanism as claimed in claim 11 wherein the actuation portion of eachleg is subtantially horizontal in use.
 27. A support mechanism asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the interconnection means is connecteddirectly or indirectly to the object to be supported.
 28. A table asclaimed in claim 18 including four legs arranged such that their beamportions form a quadrilateral shape in plan view.
 29. A table as claimedin claim 18 including six legs arranged such that their beam portionsform a hexagonal shape in plan view.
 30. A table as claimed in claim 21wherein the base portion of the interconnection means is formed in theshape of a cross, square or rectangle in plan view.